Excerpt from Maybe Baby by Carol Thomas

This week I’m delighted to feature an excerpt from Carol Thomas‘ new title for Ruby Fiction Maybe Baby. Carol previously joined me on my blog on 19 November 2018 to talk about her debut novel for Ruby Fiction The Purrfect Pet Sitter – have a look at that interview here – Maybe Baby follows on from that first book, although it can be read as a stand alone title.

Over to Carol …

Thank you for having me on your blog, Morton, and for the opportunity to share an excerpt from Maybe Baby. The part I have chosen, and cheekily abridged so as not to give too much away, finds best friends Lisa and Felicity at the end of a long weekend in France (staying in Lisa’s parents’ house). I chose it because it reflects the friendship and interaction between the two characters well, and makes me smile. I hope you and your readers enjoy it…

Excerpt from Maybe Baby – a romantic comedy, full of love, true friendship and humour.

“Lisa raised her glass to Felicity. ‘We’re finally on our girl trip, just the two of us, I’m so pleased we found each other again, and … hello, who is that?’

The sound of tyres against gravel drew their attention towards the driveway, but being at the back of the building, they couldn’t see who was there.

Felicity stood up and grabbed her towel. ‘Whoever it is can’t see me like this. I’ve got enough rolls to open a boulangerie.’

Lisa giggled. ‘Wait, don’t leave me.’ Realising Felicity was heading inside, she swung her legs out of the paddling pool, hurriedly rubbed her feet on a towel, and followed, closing the patio door behind them before panicking about the fact they were dripping water on her mum’s floor. From their vantage point behind the sofa, the two women watched as a suave man wandered round the garden. Dressed in a smart casual style, he wore navy, fitted jeans; an untucked pale blue, tailored shirt; and tan, leather-weave jute loafers without socks. His tanned skin, along with his dark hair, which occasionally flopped across his sunglasses, made Lisa think he was French.

‘Who the hell is Monsieur Hottie?’ Flick asked. ‘Do you think he’s a thief? The place is supposed to be empty until your parents return.’

‘No. The hire car is on the driveway, it’s broad daylight and … well, look at him.’

‘Perhaps he’s—’

‘A very posh gardener?’

With a couple of athletic strides, the man ascended the steps of the terrace. He walked towards the door and lifted his sunglasses before knocking and peering in.

Lisa and Felicity attempted to stand still, but the fact he lifted his hand in a single wave and offered a smile revealing a fine set of white teeth made it obvious he had seen them.

‘Well, now we look stupid hiding behind here.’ Felicity nudged Lisa towards the door.

‘I can’t go. I’m only in a T-shirt and pants. At least you’re in a swimsuit and towel.’ Lisa pulled the bottom of Nathan’s T-shirt down, attempting to cover her knickers.

Felicity edged forward. ‘What if he’s dangerous?’

‘Nobody that good-looking could be dangerous.’

Felicity looked admonishingly at Lisa. ‘And that’s why he’s dangerous! You’d better stay behind me.’

‘Wait!’ As they were about to open the door, Lisa grabbed Felicity’s arm and whispered, ‘Can you speak French?’

Felicity matched Lisa’s hushed tones, ‘I can say my name, age, where I live, and Jean Paul works in the garden.’

Lisa looked at her, dumbfounded, before they both giggled.

‘You cover me and I’ll speak,’ Lisa affirmed.

Felicity opened the door. Both women took in the sight of the man’s handsome features. His ice-blue eyes contrasted with his tanned skin, dark hair and the fine stubble that outlined his heart-shaped face.

‘Bonsoir.’

From her position behind Felicity, Lisa spoke, asking, in French, if she could help him in what she hoped was a calm steady voice, but reminded her of her mum attempting to be posh. With an amused grin the man introduced himself, speaking English with a soft, intoxicating French accent, as Florian. He explained that he was the son of their nearest neighbour and that he taught Lisa’s mum’s art class. As a favour to Lisa’s parents, his father had prepared the hot tub for their arrival, and he was there to check on the chemical balance of the water.

Satisfactory explanations having been provided, Lisa and Felicity ran to find some more suitable clothes while Florian directed his attention to the hot tub. Hurrying back downstairs, they paused at the bottom of the wooden staircase. Looking across the lounge towards the terrace, the two women tilted their heads in unison at the unexpected sight.

Lisa spoke first, “Is it just me, or is there more chemistry going on out there than just checking the pH balance in the hot tub?’”

About the book

Maybe Baby is a romantic comedy and the sequel to The Purrfect Pet Sitter (Lisa Blake book #1). While each book can be read as a standalone story, Maybe Baby revisits the characters from The Purrfect Pet Sitter (http://getbook.at/TPPSAmazon) as they move into the next phase of their lives.

The blurb:

Just when you thought you had it all worked out …

Best friends Lisa and Felicity think – maybe, just maybe – they finally have everything sorted out in their lives.

Lisa is in a happy relationship with her old flame, and busy mum Felicity has managed to reignite the passion with her husband, Pete, after a romantic getaway.

But when Lisa walks in on a half-naked woman in her boyfriend’s flat and Felicity is left reeling from a shocking discovery, it becomes clear that life is nothing but full of surprises!

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Published by: Ruby Fiction

Buying Links:

Amazon: http://getbook.at/MBAmazon

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/maybe-baby-35

Ruby Fiction: https://www.rubyfiction.com/dd-product/maybe-baby/

About the Author:

Carol Thomas lives on the south coast of England with her husband, four children and lively Labrador. She has been a playgroup supervisor and taught in primary schools for over fifteen years, before dedicating more of her time to writing. Carol is a regular volunteer at her local Cancer Research UK shop. She has a passion for reading, writing and people watching and can often be found loitering in local cafes working on her next book.

To keep in contact with Carol use the following links:-

Website http://carol-thomas.co.uk

Facebook http://facebook.com/carolthomasauthor

Twitter @carol-thomas2

Pinterest Carol thomas -Author

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/carol_thomas2/

Blog: http://carol-thomas.co.uk/blog